The Choice – A Book Review

Travis Parker has the life that I basically want when I grow up. He lives comfortably in a small town away from the noise of the big cities but sufficient enough to provide a city life.With a waterfront home, a stable job, active lifestyle, single, and with a dog, as a companion who wouldn’t want a life like his? Just like me, he believes that a serious relationship (my opinion as of now) – which would eventually lead to children – would only ruin an already perfect life.

On the other hand, Gabby Holland, Travis’ neighbor, a pediatrician and not to mention attractive, describes a perfect life with a complete happy family. Unlike him, she is serious and ambitious. She strives to be someone her mother wants instead of being what she is. Who knew that the saying, “Opposite attracts.” would apply to them?

Molly, Gabby’s dog, suddenly gained weight, nipples grew and moves slower. In other words, pregnant. As Spark’s put it, “birthing a litter of puppies” which to Gabby is a huge problem. The smell.. where to put the puppies.. how to punish Travis who Gabby blames for her huge problem! There’s this saying that the person you hate the most with would be the person you’d end up loving most. That’s second saying for you.

As much as how happy this sounds, this book is quite the opposite.

The Choice tries to tell us that our choice matters – no matter how or big small these are, it matters. Who knows what vital part those play in the future? The story started with a prologue that was so sad I didn’t understand why it’s connected to the chapters I was reading. I wouldn’t like to spoil the book to you and give too much information. Somewhere in the middle, a very big twist that I didn’t expect happened. I did not put into serious consideration the page before the prologue that said “Part I” which basically meant there would be a “Part II”.

Nicholas Spark’s novel is a sad story of painful consequences of wrong choices and leaping without thinking. It’s the painful emotional struggle of a man to keep the life of his family going on when his life was stagnating with every painful second of waiting. It’s the story of hope and of the belief that as long as you believe, it would happen.

Just like any Nicholas Sparks, this is a tear-jerking novel, full of inspiring messages. But for the first time, I found a teeny-weeny flaw on this book. I found the middle part (before “Part II”) a bit too slow. Gabby is torn between her boyfriend, whom she loves but never popped the question, and Travis. She thinks that a friendly dinner with Travis is dishonest. It seemed to her cheating. Couldn’t she just admit to herself that she does like Travis? I believe it was to lad the story a bit to keep the thrill but unfortunately, Sparks did a bad job at doing it. That shouldn’t keep you (or me) from loving this book though.

Another story about love, hope and faith, The Choice is worth your time, your money and you tears.